Zelkova tree named ‘ZSMTF’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Zelkova serrata tree named ‘ZSMTF’ is disclosed, characterized by uniquely dense foliage and a distinctive red Fall foliage color. Trees have been observed to have good heat tolerance in the Southern United States. The new variety is a Zelkova tree, typically used as an ornamental tree.

Latin name of the genus and species: Zelkova serrata.

Variety denomination: ‘ZSMTF’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The newvariety was discovered growing as a seedling among a group of crossbredZelkova serrata trees at a tree farm in Washington, Ga. The inventormade this discovery in the Summer of 2016. The exact seed and pollenparents cannot be identified.

Asexual reproduction by grafting of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ was firstperformed during January of 2017 at a farm in Washington, Ga. The cleftgrafting system developed by the inventor has resulted in progeny thathave proven the characteristics of the new variety to be geneticallystable. This grafting process involved taking cuttings in February,being grafted, and being placed in calloused chambers for approximatelythree weeks. They are then moved into 3″×6″ tree band pots and placed inhumidity chambers for approximately four weeks. Furthermore, theseobservations have confirmed that the new variety represents a new andimproved variety of Zelkova serrata tree as particularly evidenced bythe superior heat tolerance. These genetic traits can be consistentlyreproduced by asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘ZSMTF’ grown in Washington, Ga. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘ZSMTF’ as a new and distinctZelkova serrata cultivar:

-   1. Dense foliage.-   2. Red Fall foliage.-   3. Good heat tolerance.

PARENT COMPARISON

The exact parent varieties cannot be identified.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ are similar to plants of Zelkovaserrata ‘Green Vase’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,080, in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ differ inthe following:

-   1. The new variety produces denser foliage than this comparator.-   2. The new variety produces red Fall foliage; this comparator    produces orange Fall foliage.-   3. The new variety is more heat tolerant than this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ are similar to plants of Zelkovaserrata ‘Halka’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,687 in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ differ inthe following:

-   1. The new variety produces smaller, denser foliage than this    comparator.-   2. The new variety produces red Fall foliage; this comparator    produces yellow Fall foliage.-   3. Trees of the new variety do not have the open, loose habit of    this comparator.-   4. The new variety is more heat tolerant than this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ are similar to plants of Zelkovaserrata ‘ZSFKF’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,220 in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ differ inthe following:

-   1. The new variety produces smaller, denser foliage than this    comparator.-   2. The new variety produces red Fall foliage; this comparator    produces greyed-orange Fall foliage.-   3. Trees of the new variety do not have the open, loose habit of    this comparator.-   4. The new variety is more heat tolerant than this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ are similar to plants of Zelkovaserrata ‘Musashino’ (unpatented) in most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘ZSMTF’ differ in the following:

-   1. The new variety produces smaller, denser foliage than this    comparator.-   2. The new variety produces red Fall foliage; this comparator    produces yellow Fall foliage.-   3. The new variety is more heat tolerant than this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates a row of field treesof the new variety during early Summer.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the foliage, of the new varietyand a comparator. Foliage of the new variety is on the left; foliage ofthe comparator ‘ZSFK’ is on the right.

All trees illustrated are field grown in Washington, Ga. Trees in FIG. 1are approximately 3 years from planting into the field, 4 years old fromgrafting.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘ZSMTF’ plants grown outdoors and in a nurseryin Washington, Ga. Plants are approximately 2 years old, in a 3 gallonnursery container. Temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 10° C. at night to18° C. to 27° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical valuesrepresent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Zelkova serrata ‘ZSMTF’.

PROPAGATION

-   Cleft grafting.-   Root description: Woody. Brown roots not accurately measured with an    R.H.S. Colour Chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Deciduous tree with a narrow canopy.-   Height: Approximately 12 feet at 3 years.-   Spread: Approximately 4 feet at 3 years.-   Aspect and angle: About 45 degrees from center.-   Growth rate: Rapid.-   Trunk characteristics:    -   -   Diameter.—About 2.5 inches measured at approximately 3            inches above soil level at 3 years.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 198C blotched near Gray 201A.        -   Surface texture.—Rough, bark not yet formed.        -   Lenticels present.—Yes. Inconspicuous, round.        -   Lenticel length.—About 0.5 mm.        -   Lenticel diameter.—About 0.5 mm.        -   Lenticel density.—Very dense.        -   Lenticel color.—Near RHS Gray 201A.-   Branch characteristics:    -   -   Length.—Average Range 30 to 65 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average 7 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 197B.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Leaf emergence.—Mid-April in Georgia.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Shape.—Broad Elliptic.        -   Average length.—Approximately 7 cm excluding petiole.        -   Average width.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Rounded tapered.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Texture of lower surface.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Young foliage: Upper side: Near RHS Green 137C            flushed Greyed-Orange N167C. Under side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144A flushed Yellow-Green N144A. Mature            foliage: Upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Under side: Near            RHS Green 137D. Fall foliage: Upper side: Near RHS            Greyed-Red 180A, slightly flushed Red 53A. Under side: Near            RHS Greyed-Red 180A.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color(mature): Venation color upper            side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. Venation color under side:            Near RHS Yellow-Green N144A.        -   Petiole.—Length: Average 5 to 9 mm. Diameter: Average 2 mm.            Texture: Glabrous. Color: Upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green            N144C. Under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.

FLOWER

-   Not observed.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruit/seeds: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Zelkova has been observed.-   Drought resistance: No observed tolerance for drought to date.    Typically Zelkova can become drought tolerant when well established.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 5 through 8. Observed tolerant of    hot Summer conditions in Georgia.-   Fruits/nuts: Not observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Zelkova serratatree named ‘ZSMTF’ as herein illustrated and described.